The effect of postmigration stressors on the prevalence of depressive symptoms among refugees in Germany. Analysis of the IAB-BAMF-SOEP Survey 2016

BACKGROUNDInternational studies prove the high burden of mental illnesses among refugees. Postmigration stressors in the country of refuge may affect the mental health and result in depression. OBJECTIVESThe study examines whether postmigration stressors are associated with the prevalence of depress...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Bundesgesundheitsblatt, Gesundheitsforschung, Gesundheitsschutz Gesundheitsforschung, Gesundheitsschutz, 2020-12, Vol.63 (12), p.1470-1482
Main Authors: Nutsch, Niklas, Bozorgmehr, Kayvan
Format: Article
Language:ger
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:BACKGROUNDInternational studies prove the high burden of mental illnesses among refugees. Postmigration stressors in the country of refuge may affect the mental health and result in depression. OBJECTIVESThe study examines whether postmigration stressors are associated with the prevalence of depressive symptoms among adult refugees in Germany. METHODSSecondary data analysis based on cross-sectional data of the IAB-BAMF-SOEP Survey of Refugees 2016 (N = 4465) that is representative for Germany. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire‑2 (PHQ-2). Unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated with binary logistic regression models to examine associations between depression and sociodemographic, postmigration, and psychosocial factors. RESULTSDepressive symptoms show 19.4% of the surveyed refugees. Almost all selected postmigration stressors are significantly associated with depression after adjustment for sociodemographic and psychosocial factors. Unemployment (aOR = 1.48 [1.04-2.12]), loneliness (aOR = 1.14 [1.10-1.18]), and a rejected or undecided asylum application (aOR = 1.34 [1.06-1.70]) increase the odds of depressive symptoms, whereas asylum interviews (aOR = 0.71 [0.56-0.91]) and higher housing satisfaction (aOR = 0.94 [0.91-0.98]) lower the odds of depression. CONCLUSIONSPostmigration stress is associated with the occurrence of depressive symptoms. Sociopolitical interventions considering stressful and protective factors of the postmigration phase can reduce the burden of mental disorders in refugee populations.
ISSN:1437-1588
DOI:10.1007/s00103-020-03238-0